About Us

Learn more about Agard Research Associates—our mission, values, practices, and our dedicated Board of Directors.

Who we are

Who We Are

Agard Research Associates, Inc. is an independent, nonpartisan research institute producing rigorous scholarship and policy analysis on the institutions that shape American working life. Our work joins contemporary policy research with the depth of perspective that historical and humanistic scholarship provide, and addresses questions ranging from workplace conditions and employment law to the institutional design of public and private organizations.

We believe the hardest questions in institutional and labor policy are best addressed when systematic evidence and comparative analysis are grounded in a clear understanding of how similar decisions and institutions have unfolded in the past. Our work is organized around three areas: scholarly research and policy analysis on workplaces and the institutions that govern them, public-facing programs that bring this work to practitioners, students, and engaged communities, and direct services and partnerships that translate research into resources for the populations our mission is built to serve.

What We Do

Research

We produce working papers, scholarly articles, and analytical studies on institutional design, organizational behavior, and the conditions that shape working life. Our work draws on the social and behavioral sciences alongside the interpretive traditions of the humanities, with manuscripts submitted for peer review and findings made publicly available.

Policy Analysis

We publish reports and analyses on employment law, workers' rights, women's rights, and labor standards at the state and federal levels. Written for decision-makers, practitioners, and readers who want to understand the structural forces behind the headlines.

Workshops & Professional Development

We design and deliver training for workplaces and institutions on workplace culture, ethical management, organizational design, and employee well-being. These programs translate our research into practical guidance for building humanely structured working environments.

K-12 Educational Programming

We develop presentations, projects, and classroom activities aligned with New Jersey curriculum standards. Anchored in the humanities, the programming introduces students to civic institutions, public service, and ethical reasoning, with a dedicated track on veterans and military service.

Behavioral Health & Trauma Support

We compile and recommend resources for behavioral health and trauma support, with a primary focus on veterans and active-duty personnel. We pursue formal partnerships with established providers to ensure that those we direct to care receive credible, trauma-informed support.

Employment Assistance

We support individuals navigating the labor market through research-informed guidance, partnership networks, and direct assistance. Priority is extended to veterans, members of underserved communities, and minority populations.

Our Mission

Agard Research Associates, Inc. produces rigorous scholarly research, principled policy analysis, and direct community programs that improve the quality of American working life and strengthen the institutions that shape it. Based in New Jersey and engaged nationally, our work centers on institutional design, employment law, workers' rights, and the conditions of a humane workplace. Our programs are oriented toward the populations historically underserved by these institutions, including veterans, women, and members of minority and underrepresented communities. The organization is anchored in the humanistic conviction that institutions exist to serve human flourishing and must be evaluated, reformed, and rebuilt by that standard.

We envision an America in which work sustains rather than diminishes the human person; in which the institutions that govern public and private life are equal to the demands of a free and selfgoverning society; and in which those who labor for the nation and its communities, including workers, families, public servants, and veterans, are met with the dignity, opportunity, and care they have earned.

Agard Research Associates Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation based in New Jersey. Founded 2025.

For a detailed overview of our mission and objectives, access the full statement here.

Organizational Values

At Agard Research Associates, our work is guided by core values that reflect our commitment to ethical research, social responsibility, and accessible knowledge.

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Integrity

We uphold honesty, transparency, and accountability in all aspects of our work. Our research adheres to the highest standards of accuracy and objectivity, ensuring that the information we provide is reliable and grounded in evidence.

Collaboration

Meaningful progress emerges through interdisciplinary partnership. By bringing together expertise in human behavior, history, education, and policy, we foster a dynamic exchange of ideas that yields comprehensive, innovative solutions.

Respect

We honor the dignity, privacy, and lived experiences of every individual. All interactions with research participants, collaborators, and community members are approached with cultural awareness, empathy, and professionalism.

Responsibility

As a nonprofit organization, we are committed to serving the public good. Our research informs practice, guides policy, and creates tools that empower individuals in educational and workplace settings.

Inclusivity

We actively promote diversity and equity in our research, outreach, and internal operations. Our work reflects and responds to the varied backgrounds, identities, and needs of the communities we serve.

Ethical Practice

Our research processes are built on rigorous ethical standards, including informed consent, participant well-being, methodological transparency, and continuous evaluation to prevent harm and uphold trust.

commitment to ethical practices

Commitment to Ethical Practices

At Agard Research Associates, ethical integrity is the cornerstone of our mission. We are committed to conducting and sharing research that upholds the highest standards of academic honesty, transparency, and social responsibility. Our work adheres to established ethical guidelines while actively cultivating trust, accountability, and accessibility in public scholarship.
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Academic Honesty and Research Integrity

We maintain strict standards of academic honesty in all publications, projects, and collaborations.

Citation and Attribution

All sources are properly cited using consistent scholarly formatting. We do not tolerate plagiarism or misrepresentation of others' work.

Originality

Our research is developed through original inquiry, critical analysis, and transparent methodology. Content is not reused without clear justification and proper acknowledgment.

Data Integrity

All data is accurately recorded, stored, and reported. We do not manipulate data to produce desired outcomes and disclose limitations or uncertainties in our findings.

Review Standards

When applicable, our research undergoes peer or internal review to ensure clarity, rigor, and ethical compliance before publication.

Ethical Treatment of Participants

Informed Consent

When research involves human participants, we obtain fully informed, voluntary consent, ensuring participants understand their rights and the scope of the study.

Confidentiality

We protect participant identities and sensitive information through strict data handling protocols.

Cultural Sensitivity

We approach all topics with care, particularly those involving historically marginalized communities, to avoid reinforcing harm or bias.

Responsible Dissemination of Knowledge

Accessible Communication

We communicate findings in ways that are understandable and usable by diverse audiences, including educators, policymakers, students, and the general public, without sacrificing academic rigor.

Evidence Standards

All information disseminated through our publications and platforms is vetted for accuracy and supported by credible evidence.

Corrections

In the event of an error, we issue timely corrections or retractions and communicate them clearly to our audience.

Institutional Accountability

Ethics Training

Team members engage in regular training on research ethics, academic honesty, and responsible authorship.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure

We require disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest that may affect research objectivity or public trust.

Commitment to Public Good

Our work is oriented toward social benefit. We do not publish material that promotes discrimination, misinformation, or unethical practice in educational or workplace settings.